Vehicle-axle



(Mode L) E. FIRTH.

VEHICLE AXLE. 110.267.6815. Patented N07. 1882.

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' UNITED STATES PATENT ()FFI E.

EDWIN FIRTH, OF AUBURN, NEW YORK.

VEHICLE-AXLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 267,683, dated November 21, 185 2.

Application filed August 25, 1882. (Model.)

To all whom it-may concern Be it known that I, EDWIN FIRTH, of Auburn, in the county of Cayuga and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Self-LubricatingVehicle- Axles; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertaius to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification.

Figure 1 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view. Fig. 2 is a side view of the spindle removed from the axle-box. Fig. 3 is an end view of the device complete. Fig. 4 is a side view of the revolving pin detached from the axle. Fig. 5 is a view illustrating a modified construction of said revolving pin, and Fig.6 is an end view of the lubricating cap or nut.

Corresponding parts in the several figures are denoted by like letters of reference.

This invention relates to an improved selflubricating vehicle-axle, the construction of which will be hereinafter fully described, and

particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings hereto annexed, A represents the end of a vehicle-axle, and B is the Thus in Fig.1 the end of the spindle has a recess, I), to receive a sleeve, E, in which is journaled the pin C, which is provided at its inner end with a flange, F, to hold it in place. The sleeve E is retained permanently in the recess D by a pin, G, driven transversely through the end of the spindle and the wall of said sleeve. In Fig.5 the pin,which is placed direct in the recess D, has an annular groove, H, to accommodateapin, I, driven transversely through the end of the spindle, and servingto retain the pin 0 in position without preventing it from revolving. The former of these constructionsI deem especiallyuseful for heavy and the latter for light axles; but I wish it to be understood that I donot limit myself to these, .nor to any particular way of connecting the revolving pin to the end of the spindle.

The pin O is provided, adjoining the end of the spindle, with a square enlargement or nut, J. Its outer end is screw-threaded, as at K.

L is the axle-box, which is secured in the usual manner in the hub M. Theinner end of the spindle has a flanged collar, N, to receive the inner end of the axle-box, between which and said collar a washer, 0, of leather or other suitable material, is interposed, to prevent sand and grit from entering the hearing. The outer end of the axle-box has a transverse pin, P, which, when thehub is'adjusted upon the spindle, bears against one of the sides of the nut or enlargement J upon therevolving pin C. It will thus be seen that when the wheel revolves the said pin 0 is caused to revolve at the same rate of speed. The end of the axlebox is threaded at Q to receive the lubricating I cap or nut- R. The latter is provided with a diaphragm, S, having an opening, T, which is screw-threaded to receive the end of the re volving pin 0, and provided with grooves or openings U, through which thelubricant may pass from the chambered nut or cap R to the bearin g. The cap R has a plug, V, which may be removed when lubricating material is to be supplied to said cap.

The operation and advantages of myinvention will be readily understood. Primarily it will be noticed that the nut oroap which serves to secure the wheel upon the spindle revolves with the wheel, and at the same rate of speed, as though it formed an integral part thereof. I thus avoid the necessity of making right and left hand threads, according to the direction of revolution, thus simplifying the manufacture and lessening the expense of production.

It is clearly impossible for the nut or cap to come off by ordinary usage. When the nut is screwed into position it makes aliquid-tight joint at the outer end between the axle-box and spindle, completely covering the end of the latter, and making it totally impossible for sand and grit to enter the bearing. The nut or enlargement upon the pin O,as thelattcr revolves,creates,as it were, a vacuum, by which the oil is drawn out of the chambered nut and supplied to the bearing rapidly or slowly, according to the speed of revolution. Not a drop of oil can ever be lost or wasted, since it must of necessity pass directtothebearing. Finally,

2 amass? my improvement is of great service in taking hoxL, havingtransversepin P, bearing against up slack caused by wear upon the spindle. The cap or nut B, when adjusted, engages threads upon the axle-box, and also upon the revolving pin, which forms an integral or permanent part of the spindle. The wheel or the axle-box is thus held in a certain position in relation to the spindle. It in this position it becomes loose or slack, it is only necessary to 4 unscrew the nut from the end of the axle-box,

forcing the latter upon the spindle until tight, and again adjusting the nut which must then, before it takes with the thread upon the end of the axle-box, be screwed down upon the pin 0 a sufficient distance to compensate for the wear.

I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States 1. The combination of the spindle B, the revolving pin-O, having threaded end K and square shoulder or enlargement J, the axle-- one side of the shoulder J, and a nut 01' cap, as set forth.

2. Thecombination, with the spindle B, havingrevolvingpin 0, provided with threaded end K and square shoulder or enlargement J, of the axle-box L, having transverse pin P, and the lubricatingnutorcapR,having diaphragm S, provided with threaded opening T and grooves or openings U, whereby said cap may- "be screwed simultaneously upon the projecting end of pin 0 and upon the axle-box, as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing'as my own I have hereto aflixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

EDWIN FIRTH.

Witnesses:

J NO. B. IVIOSHER, CHAS. OBRIEN. 

